Who attends?
Ages/Children
Scheduling
What do we eat?
Languages
Lodging
Dining out
Arrival
Transportation
Car rental
Clothing/weather
Exercise
Tipping
Who is suited for Terra Summer Italia?back to the top
Terra Summer Italia is designed for adults and children 11 to 14 (rising 6th-graders through rising 9th-graders) who share an interest in food and land, and adults who want to have a bonding and learning experience with their child. It could be a divorced dad who wants to do something special with his child during the summer (or a divorced mom!); women who want to do something with their favorite girlfriends AND their daughters; men who have a passion for food and would like to learn to cook, but want to spend time with their sons (or daughters); single parents who cannot go on vacation without their child; parents and children who share the love of food and cooking and want to learn together; single parents who want to go on vacation with their child but also want to meet new people with children of the same age; a grandparent who wants to do something special with a grandchild; aunts or uncles who wants to take their niece or nephew someplace special; an adult who wants to have a great experience with a child!!
What age must the children be?back to the top
All children must be between the ages of 11 and 14 – rising 6th graders through 9th graders.
Can I come with more than one teenager?
Yes, you may; you may bring your son or your daughter with a friend of his or hers, for example, or your two children. Special room accommodations are possible. Each additional child costs $4,000.
Can I come with my whole family?
You may, but you must come as parent-and-child couples. In other words, you and your daughter may pair, and your husband may pair with your son and a friend, for example. Special room accommodations can be made; however, the goal of teaming up should not be broken. Individual situations can be discussed individually.
Will we study while we are there?
We do not require formal “studying” in the program. You learn during the hours that we spend together in the program. We will read, watch some short movies, hear speakers, learn from chefs and other cooks, take field trips, journal, and discuss what we learn.
Must I and my child already be good cooks to attend?
No, but you must share an interest in learning about food!
While on the Terra Summer campus, will I spend all my time with my son/daughter? back to the top
No, you will not. There are specific times in the daily schedule when you and your child will have learning time together – farming, cooking, and some academic time; discussions about what we have learned; lunches and field trips. But you will also have plenty of time and freedom to go sightseeing and shopping. In the evenings there will be dinners organized specifically for the adults, and there will be dinners for adults AND children together. There will be dinners for all the people enrolled in a session, and there will be opportunities for people in each house to organize their own dinners or go out on the town to dine.
If my child and I need to spend some time apart and I want to go to Florence for the day, can I leave my child with Terra?
Yes, you may, as long as you come back by the end of the Terra Summer day, or make arrangements for your child’s care with a fellow adult. We all need time with each other and from each other – and we want everyone to have a good time.
Does my child have to attend the whole Terra Summer program time?
Yes, that is the main purpose you are there! We expect all children to attend the Terra program every day. Exceptions for a day of travel will be made, but we would like this to be an opportunity for your child to learn something valuable and to bond with other children in the program.
Will we eat meat or fish at Terra Summer Italia?back to the top
All sessions at Terra Summer are vegetarian. We do not eat animals. We made this decision in order to expose children to the concepts behind a nutritional and lifestyle choice that is compassionate and environmentally sustainable. And we want the children to swim in waters that are intellectually and spiritually complex.
What if my child or I want to have meat for dinner while we are at Terra Summer?
We will not eat animals during meals prepared and served through Terra Summer Italia. You are free to eat meat at other meals. However, we ask that you try to respect the program’s position while you are in the program. You and your child might derive unexpected benefits from this experience.
Will we learn any Italian at Terra Summer Italia?back to the top
Yes! Sybil will offer a short, fun Italian lesson at the end of each day! (Please see A Day at Terra)
Will staff speak and teach in English?
Yes, all staff and most guests will speak English (to some degree).
Are there organized program activities on weekends?
No, there are not. From the end of the Terra day on Friday to the following Monday morning, you and your child are on your own! There are no services or meals provided except for breakfast.
Does Terra Summer Italia staff really know the area?
Yes, the founder, Sybil Fix, grew up nearby, is fluent in Italian, and has many friends and local connections. Other staff members also speak some Italian.
What is the lodging like?back to the top
The houses at Spineto are gorgeous classic Tuscan farmhouses that have been splendidly restored and equipped for modern living. They are beautifully furnished, have a beautiful pool, and have gorgeous linens and towels. They are some of the best accommodations one can find in rural Tuscany. Please see the Lodging tab for details.
Do all the people staying in one house have to be together all the time?
Not at all. You may get to know each other and decide to have dinners together or spend the weekend together; if not, you are all independent, with private room and private bath. You and your child may come and go as you please. The houses are large and spacious enough to allow privacy and quiet time alone.
Do I have to share a room with my child?
Unless you are bringing two children with you, you will have to share a room with your child. We will consider and try to accommodate special housing requests; however, housing is one of the most expensive components of the program, and the more rooms we use, the higher our – and your — costs.
Do I need to make room arrangements with Spineto?
No, Terra handles all accommodation arrangements with Spineto staff.
Are there restaurants nearby where we can have a nice dinner when there are no Terra events? back to the top
Absolutely. There are wonderful places nearby. We will be happy to provide a list of restaurants that are conveniently located. You may also arrange for a chef to prepare a meal for you or a group of people in your house.
If we all decide to go out to dinner together, is it possible to get a van?
Yes, transportation may be arranged and is encouraged (the enforcement of drinking-and-driving laws in Italy has become quite severe). Also, the houses can be pretty distant from one another; if you do not wish to drive, transportation can be arranged. Carpooling is also encouraged.
Will there be an event at which all people in a session of Terra Summer Italia meet each other before the start of the program?back to the top
Yes. The evening of your arrival, the day before your session starts, there will be a cocktail hour at which we will all meet and get a chance to mingle. A schedule will be announced after everyone’s enrollment.
If we love Spineto, can we prolong our stay past the end of our Terra Summer Italia session?
It would depend on the availability of lodging space there. Lo Spineto has 12 properties available for rent, but it hosts other events – art shows, concerts, conventions, and seminars — and it may be booked.
Does Terra Summer Italia handle our travel arrangements to and from the United States?back to the top
No. You are responsible for your and your child’s travel arrangements.
Must we rent a car?back to the top
Yes, unless you are planning to attend Terra Summer with another parent-child couple that has a car. Even if you hired a car to bring you from the airport to Spineto, or took trains, buses, or taxis, you would have no transportation afterwards: There is no transportation on and off the Spineto property and you will have no way of getting anywhere around the area.
How long will it take us to reach Lo Spineto from the airport in Rome?
Approximately two hours – perhaps a little longer if you are completely new to the area or to Italy. Please see Location and Directions.
What is the weather like in Sarteano?back to the top
Feel free to check weather sites for details on the dates of the session you plan to attend. Generally speaking, however, summer days are hot (but dry heat) and evenings get relatively cool.
What should we bring on our trip?
You should bring a variety of types of clothes/shoes for a variety of activities, including farming, cooking, and going out to elegant dinners! Layering is always a good approach. Make sure your child has clothes that are comfortable for being outside, cooking, and playing – and for dressing up if you plan on traveling to Rome or Florence for the weekend. Remember that there will also be nice wine dinners in the Abbazia for the grown-ups. Make sure you bring bathing suits if you plan to enjoy the pool at your house, and exercise wear if you plan to walk or run on the property. You don’t need to bring anything else for Terra specifically.
Is there a gym on the Spineto property?back to the top
No. However, there are miles of roads for running and walking. There are also gyms in nearby towns, if you are interested. We recommend enjoying the sites and walking in the beautiful countryside.
We understand that tipping is not a widespread practice in Italy. Is it appropriate to tip the staff at the Abbazia?back to the top
Yes. While the culture of tipping is not well established in Italy, particularly in small towns, we believe that tipping is an appropriate show of appreciation for the work involved in making your stay special. We encourage tipping staff at the end of your Terra Summer Italia session. We also encourage tipping at restaurants.
Please call if you have a question we have neglected to address here!
Whom do I call?
Call Sybil Fix at 843-729-7503.
Thank you!